Nerve signal differentiation in cardiac therapy

ABSTRACT

Methods of nerve signal differentiation, methods of delivering therapy using such nerve signal differentiation, and to systems and devices for performing such methods. Nerve signal differentiation may include locating two electrodes proximate nerve tissue and differentiating between efferent and afferent components of nerve signals monitored using the two electrodes.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/397,702, having a filing date of Apr. 29, 2010,which resulted from conversion of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/770,275 filed Apr. 29, 2010 thereto, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The presentapplication is related to another co-pending and concurrently-filedapplication, which is hereby incorporated by reference, in its entirety,and which is U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/770,227 filed Apr. 29,2010 entitled NERVE SIGNAL DIFFERENTIATION IN CARDIAC THERAPY which wasconverted to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/397,703.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to nerve signal differentiation; and,more particularly, delivering therapy using such nerve signaldifferentiation.

Nerve tissue contains both efferent fibers and afferent fibers.Electrical signals propagate from the central nervous system totissue/organs along efferent fibers while electrical signals propagatefrom tissues/organs to the central nervous system along afferent fibers.The efferent and afferent fibers play different roles in neuronalregulation (e.g., regulation of the heart).

Further a variety of patient therapies exist that may benefit from nerverecordings. For example, certain therapies may be delivered based onsuch nerve recordings.

SUMMARY

The disclosure herein relates generally to devices and methods ofanalyzing nerve signals and/or delivering therapy based on nervesignals. For example, such methods and devices may differentiate betweenefferent and afferent components of a nerve signal for use with therapy,and further, may initiate or adjust therapy based on the efferent and/orafferent components.

An exemplary device for delivering therapy disclosed herein may includemonitoring apparatus, a sensing module, a therapy delivery module, and acontrol module. The monitoring apparatus is configured to monitorphysiological parameters of a patient and includes at least twoelectrodes configured to monitor electrical activity of the patient'svagus nerve. The sensing module is operably coupled to the monitoringapparatus and configured to receive the monitored physiologicalparameters. The therapy delivery module is configured to deliver cardiactherapy to the patient. The control module is operably coupled to thesensing module and to the therapy delivery module. Further, the controlmodule is configured to differentiate between efferent activity andafferent activity of the monitored electrical activity of the patient'svagus nerve, analyze the monitored physiological parameters by at leastdetermining whether the efferent activity of the electrical activity ofthe patient's vagus nerve is reduced over time, and initiate or adjustcardiac therapy to the patient if the efferent activity of theelectrical activity of the patient's vagus nerve is reduced.

In one or more embodiments of the devices disclosed herein, the controlmodule is further configured to determine whether the efferent activityof the electrical activity of the patient's vagus nerve is reduced by atleast comparing the pulses per second of the efferent activity to aselected value or by at least comparing the pulses per second ofpresently-monitored efferent activity to the pulses per second ofpreviously-monitored efferent activity. Further, the control module maybe further configured to determine whether the monitored electricalactivity of the patient's vagus nerve includes afferent activity anddetermine whether the efferent activity of the electrical activity ofthe patient's vagus nerve is reduced by at least comparing the efferentactivity to the afferent activity.

Further, in one or more embodiments of the devices disclosed herein, thecontrol module is further configured to determine whether the efferentactivity of the electrical activity of the patient's vagus nerve isreduced by comparing the average amplitude of a selected frequency rangeof the efferent activity to a selected value, by comparing the averageamplitude of a selected frequency range of the presently-monitoredefferent activity to the average amplitude of the selected frequencyrange of previously-monitored efferent activity, by comparing theaverage power of a selected frequency range of the efferent activity toa selected value, or by comparing the average power of a selectedfrequency range of the presently-monitored efferent activity to theaverage power of the selected frequency range of previously-monitoredefferent activity. Further, the cardiac therapy may include electricalstimulation to the patient's vagus nerve, and the control module may befurther configured to deliver electrical stimulation to the patient'svagus nerve after a burst of efferent activity of the electricalactivity of the patient's vagus nerve ceases.

Still further, in one or more embodiments of the devices disclosedherein, the physiological parameters further include electrical activityof the patient's heart and wherein the control module may be furtherconfigured to provide a function relating the status of the patient'svagus nerve to the electrical activity of the patient's heart for use intherapy, assess a status of the patient's vagus nerve using themonitored electrical activity of the patient's heart using the function,and initiate or adjust cardiac therapy to the patient based on theassessed status of the patient's vagus nerve.

An exemplary method of delivering therapy disclosed herein may includemonitoring physiological parameters of a patient (i.e., where thephysiological parameters include electrical activity of at least onenerve fiber of a patient) and determining whether the monitoredelectrical activity of the patient's vagus nerve includes efferentactivity. The exemplary method further includes analyzing the monitoredphysiological parameters (e.g., analyzing the monitored physiologicalparameters may include determining whether the efferent activity of theelectrical activity of the patient's vagus nerve is reduced over time)and initiating or adjusting cardiac therapy if the efferent activity ofthe electrical activity of the patient's vagus nerve is reduced.

In one or more embodiments of methods described herein, determiningwhether the efferent activity of the electrical activity of thepatient's vagus nerve is reduced may include comparing the pulses persecond of the efferent activity to a selected value, comparing thepulses per second of presently-monitored efferent activity to the pulsesper second of previously-monitored efferent activity.

Further, in one or more embodiments of methods described herein,exemplary methods further include determining whether the monitoredelectrical activity of the patient's vagus nerve includes afferentactivity. Thus, determining whether the efferent activity of theelectrical activity of the patient's vagus nerve is reduced may includecomparing the efferent activity to the afferent activity.

Still further, in one or more embodiments of methods described herein,determining whether the efferent activity of the electrical activity ofthe patient's vagus nerve is reduced may include comparing the averageamplitude of a selected frequency range of the efferent activity to aselected value, comparing the average amplitude of a selected frequencyrange of the presently-monitored efferent activity to the averageamplitude of the selected frequency range of previously-monitoredefferent activity, comparing the average power of a selected frequencyrange of the efferent activity to a selected value, and comparing theaverage power of a selected frequency range of the presently-monitoredefferent activity to the average power of the selected frequency rangeof previously-monitored efferent activity.

Yet still further, in one or more embodiments of methods describedherein, delivering cardiac therapy may include delivering electricalstimulation to the patient's vagus nerve, and the exemplary methods mayfurther include delivering the electrical stimulation to the patient'svagus nerve for a selected period of time after a burst of efferentactivity of the electrical activity of the patient's vagus nerve ceases.Further, the physiological parameters may further include electricalactivity of the patient's heart, and the exemplary methods may furtherinclude: providing a function relating the status of the patient's vagusnerve to the electrical activity of the patient's heart for use intherapy, assessing a status of the patient's vagus nerve using themonitored electrical activity of the patient's heart using the function,and initiating or adjusting cardiac therapy to the patient based on theassessed status of the patient's vagus nerve.

The above summary is not intended to describe each embodiment or everyimplementation of the present disclosure. A more complete understandingwill become apparent and appreciated by referring to the followingdetailed description and claims taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an implantable medical device (IMD)operably coupled to a patient's heart.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the IMD shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of nerve signals propagating across a pair ofelectrodes.

FIGS. 4A-4B depict two exemplary leads, respectively, that may includethe electrodes shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary method of nerve signaldifferentiation using a bipolar electrode configuration.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary method of nerve signaldifferentiation using a unipolar electrode configuration.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of an exemplary method of nerve signaldifferentiation and cardiac therapy adjustment based on nerve signals.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an exemplary method of initiating cardiactherapy based on nerve signals.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of an exemplary method of adjusting cardiactherapy based on nerve signals.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of an exemplary method of delivering andadjusting gastrointestinal therapy based on nerve signals.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an implantable medical device (IMD)operably coupled to a patient's heart and diaphragm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments,reference is made to the accompanying figures of the drawing which forma part hereof, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specificembodiments which may be practiced. It is to be understood that otherembodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made withoutdeparting from (e.g., still falling within) the scope of the disclosurepresented hereby.

Exemplary methods, devices, and systems are described with reference toFIGS. 1-10. Elements or processes from one embodiment can be used incombination with elements or processes of the other embodiments, andthat the possible embodiments of such methods, devices, and systemsusing combinations of features set forth herein is not limited to thespecific embodiments shown in the Figures and/or described herein.Further, it will be recognized that the embodiments described herein mayinclude many elements that are not necessarily shown to scale. Stillfurther, it will be recognized that timing of the process operationsand/or the size and shape of various elements herein may be modified butstill fall within the scope of the present disclosure, although certaintiming, one or more shapes and/or sizes, or types of elements, may beadvantageous over others.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, IMD 10 is configured to monitor physiologicalparameters of the patient (e.g., the efferent and/or afferent of theelectrical activity of the patient's nerves, the parasympathetic and/orparasympathetic signals of the patient's nerves) and to deliver therapyusing two leads. Although the IMD 10 depicted in FIG. 1 uses two leads,a single lead or more than two leads may be used with the methods,devices, and systems described herein. For example, the IMD 10 may useone lead that includes a single electrode positionable near theatrioventricular node in the base of the right ventricle. The singleelectrode may be used for both either atrial or ventricularpacing/sensing and vagal recording/stimulation. Further, for example,the IMD 10 may use a first lead including an electrode for placementproximate a nerve a patient and a second lead including an electrode forplacement proximate the same nerve of the patient but closer to theperipheral end of the nerve than the electrode of the first lead (e.g.,for use in recording nerve signals and differentiating between efferentand afferent components of the nerve signals).

As shown, the IMD 10 is coupled to two transvenous leads: a rightventricular (RV) lead 14 and a coronary sinus (CS) lead 16. RV lead 14includes a distal tip electrode 18 deployed in the basal region of theright ventricle 2 in operative relation to the AV node 32. Ringelectrode 20 is spaced proximally from tip electrode 18 for use inbipolar sensing and pacing in the right ventricle 2. According to oneembodiment, tip electrode 18 may be used in conjunction with IMD housing30 (for unipolar sense/stimulation) or ring electrode 20 (for bipolarsense/stimulation) for sensing ventricular signals, for detecting aventricular rhythm, for delivering cardiac pacing pulses in the rightventricle, for monitoring the ST segment, for recording/monitoring theelectrical activity of the vagus nerve, and for delivering vagalstimulation pulses in the right ventricle (e.g., for discriminating SVTand VT). RV lead 14 may further include coil electrodes 22 and 24 foruse in delivering high-energy shock pulses for cardioversion anddefibrillation therapies. Other embodiments may include additionalelectrodes adapted for sensing and stimulating the right atrium 6,either on a separate right atrial lead or included along RV lead 14,recording the electrical activity of various nerves (e.g., the vagusnerve), etc. Further, such electrodes may be positioned relative to theSA node and or AV node for vagal stimulation or for recording/monitoringof the electrical activity of the vagus nerve (e.g., portions of thevagus nerve located in the heart 12).

RV lead 14 further includes sensor 36 used for sensing signals otherthan cardiac electrical signals, such as mechanical signals, e.g.,accelerometer sensing, hemodynamic pressure, flow, myocardialacceleration, heart sound, tissue perfusion, lung fluid status, etc., orblood chemistry signals, e.g., temperature, oxygen saturation, pH, etc.In one embodiment, sensor 36 is embodied as a pressure sensor (e.g., formonitoring various blood pressures and pressure drops) to, e.g., be usedin verifying effective vagal stimulation. Further, for example, sensor36 may be an oxygen sensor, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,750,495issued to Moore et al. on Jul. 31, 1989, a pressure transducer asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,485,813 issued to Anderson et al. on Dec.4, 1984, a physical activity sensor as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,428,378, issued to Anderson et al on Jan. 31, 1984, or a ventricularimpedance plethysmograph as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,535,774 issuedto Olson on Aug. 20, 1985, all of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

Coronary sinus lead 16 is deployed in a cardiac vein 34 via the coronarysinus for positioning electrodes 26 and 28 in operative relation to theleft chambers of heart 12. In particular, in one embodiment, electrodes26 and 28 are positioned near the AV node 32 to, e.g., allow electricalstimulation of the vagus nerve for discrimination of SVT and VT, forblocking conduction of the AV node 32, etc. Further, electrode 26 may bepositioned proximate the coronary sinus. Electrodes 26 and 28 may alsobe used for sensing cardiac signals and for delivering cardiac pacingpulses in the left ventricle 4. It is recognized that coronary sinuslead 16 may carry additional electrodes such as a coil electrode for usein delivering high energy shock pulses, additional ring electrodes,and/or a tip electrode for cardiac sensing and pacing in the left atrium8.

Furthermore, the embodiments described herein are not limited for usewith transvenous leads as shown in FIG. 1. For example, otherembodiments may include the use of epicardial electrodes positioned inoperative relation to the fatty pad near the SA node and/or the fattypad near the AV node. Further, subcutaneous electrodes may beincorporated on the housing 30 of IMD 10 and/or positioned onsubcutaneous leads extending from IMD 10 for use in sensing cardiacsignals and delivering electrical stimulation pulses, e.g., fordelivering cardiac pacing and shock therapies. Numerous alternativeelectrode configurations may be appropriate for nerve recordings andvagal stimulation, including endocardial or epicardial electrodesdeployed near or adjacent the SA nodal and/or AV nodal fatty pads orelectrodes positioned along the vagus nerve branches.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of IMD 10 shown in FIG. 1. Althoughthe IMD 10 has previously been described with respect to a patient'sheart, IMD 10 may used for monitoring and delivering therapy to anyorgans or parts of a patient. IMD 10 generally includes timing andcontrol circuitry 52 and an operating system that may employmicroprocessor 54 or a digital state machine for timing sensing andtherapy delivery functions and controlling other device functions inaccordance with a programmed operating mode. Microprocessor 54 andassociated memory 56 (e.g. read only memory, random access memory, etc.)are coupled to the various components of IMD 10 via a data/address bus55. IMD 10 includes therapy delivery module 50 for delivering a therapy,such as an electrical stimulation or drug therapy, under the control oftiming and control circuitry 52. Therapy delivery module 50 includespulse-generating circuitry 51 for generating electrical stimulationpulses (e.g., bursts of electrical stimulation pulses) under the controlof timing and control circuitry 52. As will be described herein,pulse-generating circuitry 51 generates stimulation pulses forstimulating the vagus nerve.

For delivering electrical stimulation pulses, pulse-generating circuitry51 may be coupled to two or more electrodes 68 via a switch matrix 58.Switch matrix 58 is used for selecting which electrodes andcorresponding polarities are used for delivering electrical stimulationpulses. Electrodes 68 may include lead-based electrodes, leadlesselectrodes incorporated on IMD 10, and/or the IMD housing configured foruse as a can or case electrode. Therapy delivery module 50 may furtherinclude high voltage circuitry for generating high voltagecardioversion/defibrillation shocks. Aspects of the present disclosuremay be embodied in an implantable cardioverter defibrillator includinghigh voltage circuitry as generally disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,731,978to Olson et al., incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Electrodes 68 may also be used for sensing electrical signals within thebody, such as cardiac signals and/or nerve signals. Cardiac electricalsignals are sensed using any of electrodes 68 for detecting the heartrhythm and determining when and what therapy is needed, and incontrolling the timing of stimulation pulses. In other words, the IMD 10includes monitoring apparatus, which includes electrodes 68 amongstother things. As will be described herein, cardiac electrical signalsmay be sensed following delivery of vagal stimulation for adjusting thevagal stimulation, for verifying the effectiveness of the vagalstimulation, and/or for detecting, and/or discriminating between cardiacconditions (e.g., SVT, VT/VF, etc.). Nerve signals are sensed using anyof the electrodes 68 for detecting the electrical activity (e.g.,parasympathetic activity, etc.) of various nerves.

Electrodes used for sensing and electrodes used for stimulation may beselected via switch matrix 58. When used for sensing, electrodes 68 arecoupled to signal processing circuitry 60 via switch matrix 58.Processing circuitry 60 includes sense amplifiers and may include othersignal conditioning circuitry and an analog to digital converter. Inother words, the IMD 10 may include a sensing module, e.g., includesswitch matrix 58, signal processing circuitry 60, etc. Electricallysensed signals may then be used by microprocessor 54 for detectingphysiological events, such as detecting and discriminating cardiacarrhythmias. Further, the microprocessor 54 may have the ability toprogram amplifiers and other electronic circuits for monitoring neuronalsignals (to, e.g., adjust the magnitude of the gain, the filtering, thesampling rate, etc.) and to processes raw data for integration, dataanalysis, and comparison of signals.

The monitoring apparatus of the IMD 10 may further include sensors 70such as pressure sensors, accelerometers, flow sensors, blood chemistrysensors, activity sensors, and/or other physiological sensors known foruse with IMDs. Sensors 70 are coupled to IMD 10 via a sensor interface62 which provides sensor signals to signal processing circuitry 60.Sensor signals are used by microprocessor 54 for detecting physiologicalevents or conditions. For example, IMD 10 may monitor heart wall motion,blood pressure, blood chemistry, respiration, and/or patient activity.Monitored signals may be used for sensing the need for delivering,adjusting, terminating, and/or initiating therapy under control of theoperating system. In other words, the IMD 10 may include a controlmodule, which may include the microprocessor 54 and memory 56 and may beconfigured using an operating system.

The operating system includes associated memory 56 for storing a varietyof programmed-in operating mode and parameter values that are used bymicroprocessor 54. The memory 56 may also be used for storing datacompiled from sensed signals and/or relating to device operating history(e.g., nerve recording information, for use in differentiating betweenefferent and afferent components of a nerve recording, for use indelivering, adjusting, controlling, initiating, and/or terminatingtherapy) and/or for communicating such data outside of the patient(e.g., using telemetry communication out of recorded history on receiptof a retrieval or interrogation instruction).

IMD 10 further includes telemetry circuitry 64 and antenna 65.Programming commands or data are transmitted during uplink or downlinktelemetry between IMD telemetry circuitry 64 and external telemetrycircuitry included in a programmer or home monitoring unit.

As described, IMD 10 is able to monitor and analyze electrical activityof a patient's nerve tissue. Nerve tissue (e.g., peripheral nerves orcentral nerve projections) contain both efferent fibers and afferentfibers. Electrical signals propagate from the central nervous system totissue/organs along efferent fibers while electrical signals propagatefrom tissues/organs to the central nervous system along afferent fibers.The efferent and afferent fibers play different roles in neuronalregulation (e.g., regulation of the heart). The disclosure hereindescribes techniques and systems/devices to differentiate efferentcomponents from afferent components in nerve recordings. For example,the efferent and afferent components (e.g., the action potentialpropagation directions) can be differentiated by analyzing the neuronalwaveforms and propagation direction.

Further, the efficacy and efficiency of certain therapies may beimproved using the differentiation of efferent and afferent componentsin nerve recordings. In at least one embodiment, assessment of vagal(parasympathetic) efferent activities in nerve recordings may be usefulduring neuromodulation.

The methods described herein may be implemented by various devices(e.g., implantable medical devices) and systems. For example, therapysystems such as therapy system 10, shown and described in provisionalapplication 61/299,816 filed on Jan. 29, 2010 and entitled THERAPYSYSTEM INCLUDING CARDIAC RHYTHM THERAPY AND NEUROSTIMULATIONCAPABILITIES, is capable of implementing teachings of the presentdisclosure. Such devices and systems may include one or more leads,electronic circuits, power sources, sensors, electrodes, fluid deliverydevices, etc. Further, such devices and systems may be configured tomonitor one or more physiological parameters of a patient, e.g.,electrical activity of a patient's heart, chemical activity of apatient's heart, chemical activity or pressure levels of a patient'sgastrointestinal (GI) system, hemodynamic activity of a patient's heart,electrical activity of a patient's muscles, and electrical activity of apatient's nerves (e.g., vagus nerve, splanchnic nerves, etc.).

The electrical activity of a patient's heart may include one or moresignals that may be monitored (e.g., using electrodes) from locations inor around the patient's heart. Using such monitored electrical activityof a patient's heart, certain metrics may be determined and collected(e.g., for analysis). For instance, the following metrics may bedetermined and collected using the electrical activity of the patient'sheart: heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), heart rateturbulence (HRT), deceleration/acceleration capacity, T-wave alternans(TWA), electrocardiogram, P-wave to P-wave intervals (also referred toas the P-P intervals or A-A intervals), R-wave to R-wave intervals (alsoreferred to as the R-R intervals or V-V intervals), P-wave to QRScomplex intervals (also referred to as the P-R intervals, A-V intervals,or P-Q intervals), QRS-complex morphology, ST segment, T-wave changes,QT intervals, electrical vectors, etc.

The chemical activity of a patient's heart may include one or morechemical properties that may be monitored (e.g., using various sensors)from locations in or around the patient's heart. Using such monitoredchemical activity of a patient's heart, certain metrics may bedetermined and collected (e.g., for analysis). For instance, thefollowing metrics may be determined and collected using the chemicalactivity of the patient's heart: oxygen saturation, brain natriureticpeptide (BNP) (proteins/peptides) content, pH, lung fluid status,catecholamines, blood electrolytes (K+, Ca++, Na+, etc.), etc.

The hemodynamic pressure of a patient's heart may include one or morehemodynamic pressures that may be monitored (e.g., using varioussensors) from locations in or around the patient's heart. Using suchmonitored hemodynamic pressures of a patient's heart, certain metricsmay be determined and collected (e.g., for analysis). For instance, thefollowing metrics may be determined and collected using the hemodynamicpressures of the patient's heart (e.g., using Medtronic OptiVol FluidStatus Monitoring): mean arterial pressure, diastolic blood pressure,systolic blood pressure, flow rates, pressure drops, heart sounds, lungsounds, tissue perfusion, intracardiac pressure, pulmonary veinpressure, cardiac imaging, etc.

The electrical activity of the patient's nerves may include one or moresignals and may be monitored (e.g., using electrodes) from locations inor around one or more of the patient's nerves. Such signals may includeparasympathetic and/or sympathetic signals propagating along efferentand afferent nerve fibers. In one embodiment, the electrical signalspropagating along one or more nerve fibers of the patient's vagus nervemay be monitored. Further, using the methods and systems/devicesdescribed herein, the efferent and afferent components of the nervesignals may be differentiated such that, e.g. the efferent and theafferent components may be identified, monitored, and analyzed.

Three diagrams of nerve signals propagating across a pair of electrodesare depicted in FIG. 3. Each of diagrams A, B, and C of FIG. 3 includessolid lines representative of the cell membrane of nerve fibers 102 andplus/minus symbols representative the cell membrane potential and itsaction potential propagation 104 along the respective nerve fibers 102.Further, each of diagrams A, B, and C includes a first electrode 108, asecond electrode 110, and a sensing module 106 configured to monitor theelectrical signals captured by the first electrode 108 and the secondelectrode 110. Referring briefly to FIG. 1, first electrode 108 is tipelectrode 18 and a second electrode 110 can be ring electrode 20 on asingle lead. The first electrode 108 and second electrode 110 may belocated along the nerve fibers 102 such that the first electrode 108 iscloser to a central end (i.e., corresponding to the direction towardsthe central nervous system of a patient) of the nerve fibers 102 thanthe second electrode 110 and the second electrode 110 is closer to aperipheral end (i.e., corresponding to the direction towards the tissueand/or organs of a patient) of the nerve fibers 102 than the firstelectrode 108. In other words, the second electrode 110 may be locatedfurther along the nerve fibers 102 than the first electrode 108.

Further, the first electrode 108 may be described herein as beinglocated a selected distance away from the second electrode 110 such thatthe first electrode 108 and the second electrode 110 are spaced alongthe nerve fibers 102 as described herein (i.e., the first electrode 108is located closer to the central end than the second electrode 110). Theselected distance may be about 1 millimeter (mm) to about 10 mm. If theelectrodes are located too close to one another, the amplitude of thesignals may be too small. Further, if the electrodes are located too farfrom one another, then the signals may be similar to a biphasic waveformwith a positive portion and a negative portion spaced apart from oneanother.

Diagram A of FIG. 3 depicts an action potential of the nerve fibers 102at rest. In other words, no electrical signals are propagating along thenerve fibers 102. As a result, the sensing module 106 is not detectingeither a positive or negative waveform (e.g., using the first electrodeor the second electrode as shown by no voltage change between the firstor second electrode 108, 110) as shown by the arrow indicator 107 withinthe sensing module 106 and the voltage versus time graph 116.

Diagram B of FIG. 1 depicts an action potential of the nerve fibersmoving from the central end to the peripheral end as shown by arrow 112.In other words, electrical signals are propagating along the nervefibers 102 from the central end to the peripheral end. As a result, thesensing module 106 is detecting a negative waveform (e.g., using thefirst electrode 108 and the second electrode 110 as shown by a voltageshift between the first and second electrode 108, 110 with the firstelectrode 108 detecting the membrane potential change first) as shown bythe arrow indicator 107 within the sensing module 106 and the voltageversus time graph 118.

Diagram C of FIG. 1 depicts an action potential of the nerve fibersmoving from the peripheral end to the central end as shown by arrow 114.In other words, electrical signals are propagating along the nervefibers 102 from the peripheral end to the central end. As a result, thesensing module 106 is detecting a positive waveform (e.g., using thefirst electrode 108 and the second electrode 110 as shown by a voltageshift between the first and second electrode 108, 110 with the secondelectrode 110 detecting the membrane potential change first) as shown bythe arrow indicator 107 within the sensing module 106 and the voltageversus time graph 120.

Various leads may be used for recording/monitoring the electricalactivity of one or more nerve tissues (e.g., stimulation leads,recording leads, therapy leads, etc.). Further, the process describedherein may use one lead having two electrodes or two or more leads eachhaving at least one electrode. Still further, the leads may havepurposes other than nerve recording (e.g., muscle stimulation). Twoexemplary leads 80, 90 that may be used with the concepts depicted inand described with reference to FIG. 3, as well as the methods describedherein, are depicted in FIGS. 4A and 4B, respectively. The distal tip 82of lead 80 (referred to as an intravascular pacing/recording lead)includes a screw-in electrode 84 (also referred to as a tip electrode)and a ring electrode 86. Such electrodes 84, 86 may be used for variousnerve recordings and intravascular pacing/recording (e.g., be locatedproximate the fatty pad on the atrial epicardium).

The distal tip 92 of the lead 90 (referred to as a minimally invasivenerve recording patch lead) includes a first electrode 94, a secondelectrode 96, and a suturing hole 98. The distal tip 92 may furtherinclude silicon insulation 95 surrounding the electrodes 94, 96 andforming the suturing hole 98. In at least one embodiment, the lead 90,through minimally invasive surgery, may be sutured (e.g., using thesuturing hole 98) such that the electrodes 94, 96 are located over atarget location, e.g., a fatty pad or nerve bundle.

The electrodes of each lead 80, 90 may be configured such that when thelead is located proximate nerve tissue, each electrode is located alongthe nerve tissue such that one electrode is located closer to a centralend (i.e., corresponding to the central nervous system of a patient) andthe other electrode is located closer to the peripheral end (i.e.,corresponding to tissue and/or organs of a patient) of the nerve tissueFurther, the leads 80, 90 may be used in conjunction with each other.For example, the leads 80, 90 can both be positioned proximate a nervetissues such that an electrode of lead 80 is located closer to thecentral end of the nerve fiber than the electrode of lead 90 (such thatthe leads 80, 90 may be used for nerve signal differentiation asdescribed herein).

If the direction of lead placement cannot be determined at the time ofimplant (e.g., if the orientation of each electrode with respect to eachcannot be determined such as which electrode is closer to the centralend of the nerve fiber), then the signals recorded (e.g., electricalactivity) on the electrodes may be correlated to certain physiologicalactivities to determine the direction of lead placement. For example, ifthe lead is located proximate the vagus nerve and the electricalactivity recorded on the electrodes is correlated to the slowing of thepatient's heart rate, then the electrical activity may be assigned asefferent vagal activity and the electrode that first recorded theelectrical activity may be assigned as being closer to the central end.

Some practical applications of the concepts depicted in and describedwith reference to FIG. 1 are described more specifically with referenceto FIGS. 5-6. For example, an exemplary method 200 of nerve signaldifferentiation using a bipolar electrode configuration (e.g., using twoelectrodes connected to single amplifier) is depicted in FIG. 5. Asdepicted, the nerve fibers 201 extend from a central end 202 (i.e.,corresponding to the nerve fibers projecting to the central nervoussystem of a patient) to a peripheral end 204 (i.e., corresponding to thenerve fibers projecting to tissue and/or organs of the patient). Suchnerve fibers 201 may be part of any one or more portions or branches ofa patient's nervous system such as, e.g., the brain, the cerebellum, thespinal cord, the intercostal nerves, the subcostal nerves, the lumbarplexus, the sacral plexus, the femoral nerves, the pudendal nerves, thesciatic nerves, the muscular branches of the femoral nerve, thesaphenous nerve, the tibial nerve, the superficial peroneal nerve, thedeep peroneal nerve, the common peroneal nerve, the ulnar nerve, theobturator nerve, the genitofemoral nerve, the iliohypogastric nerve, themedian nerve, the radial nerve, the musculocutaneous nerve, the brachialplexus, the splanchnic nerves, etc.

In at least one embodiment, the nerve fibers 201 are part of thepatient's vagus nerve. Parts of the patient's vagus nerve may bemonitored (e.g., the same parts that may be used for vagal stimulation)proximate the sinoatrial (SA) nodal fatty pad, the atrioventricular (AV)nodal fatty pad and along the great vein, and coronary artery, thecervical vagus nerve (e.g., the right or left side), the fat pad locatedbetween the medial superior vena cava and aortic root (SVC-Ao fat pad),the fat pad superior to the right pulmonary artery, the fat pad at theIVC-left atrial junction (IVC-LA fat pad), the fat pad proximate theright pulmonary vein-atrial junction (RPV fat pad), the spinal cord(e.g., vertebral levels T1-T12, C1-C8, etc. such as described in U.S.Pat. App. Pub. No. 2002/0107552 A1 to Hill et al., which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety), and additional intracardiaclocations near the SA node, AV node, coronary sinus, and base of rightventricle.

The method 200 includes locating a first electrode 210 and a secondelectrode 212 along the nerve fibers 201 of a patient to capture theelectrical activity propagating along the nerve fibers 201. The firstelectrode 210 is located closer to the central end 202 of the nervefibers 201 than the second electrode 212. Conversely, the secondelectrode 212 is located closer to the peripheral end 204 of the nervefibers 201 than the first electrode 210. Further, for example, the firstelectrode 210 may be located about 1 mm to about 10 mm from the secondelectrode 212. The first electrode 210 and the second electrode 212 maybe located on the same lead or on different leads and operably coupled(e.g., electrically coupled) to an IMD or components thereof.

The first electrode 210 and second electrode 212 may be operably coupled(e.g., electrically coupled) to differentiation circuitry 237 for use indifferentiating efferent and afferent activity. For example, as shown,the differentiation circuitry 237 includes at least an amplifier 220(e.g., a component of an IMD) that is operably coupled to the firstelectrode 210 and the second electrode 212 via connections 211, 213,respectively (i.e., the first electrode 210 is operably coupled to thepositive terminal of the amplifier 220 and the second electrode 212 isoperably coupled to the negative terminal of the amplifier 220).Further, connections 211, 213, as well as any electrical coupling orconnection described herein, may be wired or wireless (e.g., usingradio-frequency or optical transmission). When an electrical signalpropagates from the central end 202 to the peripheral end 204 of thenerve fibers 201, the amplifier 220 outputs a negative waveform 222 asshown in Diagram A thereby indicating that the electrical signal has anefferent component. When an electrical signal propagates from theperipheral end 204 to the central end 202 of the nerve fibers 201, theamplifier 220 outputs a positive waveform 224 as shown in Diagram Bthereby indicating that the electrical signal has an afferent component.Further, if the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 212 werecoupled to the differentiation circuitry 237 oppositely (e.g., the firstelectrode 210 was operably coupled to the negative terminal of theamplifier 220 and the second electrode 212 was operably coupled to thepositive terminal of the amplifier 220), an efferent component would beindicated by a positive waveform while an afferent component would beindicated by a negative waveform. Furthermore, the amplifier 220 maypossess a programmable gain and/or filtering features for optimalprocessing of nerve signals, and further for auto-adjusting the crossingthreshold for collecting efferent or afferent signals. Moreover,electronic components (not shown) may be used in conjunction with theamplifier 220 to provide maximum or minimum derivatives of the nervesignal (e.g., the voltage of the signal) that relate to a fast changebetween the first and the second waveform of the nerve signals. Suchderivatives may be used for integration and summary of the signalscollected in a defined time window as described herein.

To determine whether the electrical signal includes efferent or afferentcomponents, method 200 may integrate 226 the electrical signal (e.g.,compute the area under the curve) to generate a signal value. The signalvalue may be compared 228 to one or more selected threshold values todetermine whether the electric signal includes efferent or afferentactivity (e.g., as opposed to background/baseline signals and/or noise).The threshold values may be about two to about three times a baselinevalue (e.g., the baseline value of electrical activity measured on thenerve fibers 201). If the signal value is greater than the efferentthreshold value, then the electrical activity is determined to containefferent components. Efferent activity, in this configuration, generatesa negative polarity, and therefore, the efferent threshold value may bea negative value or the absolute value of the electrical activity may beused in the comparison. If the efferent threshold value is a negativevalue, then instead of determining if the signal value is greater thanthe efferent threshold value, the method may determine if the signalvalue is less than the efferent threshold value. If the absolute valueof the electrical activity is used in the comparison, then the methodwould determine if the signal value is greater than the efferentthreshold value and whether the electrical activity has a negativepolarity to determine that the electrical activity is efferent.

If the signal value is greater than the afferent threshold value, thenthe electrical activity is determined to contain afferent components.Afferent activity, in this configuration, generates a positive polarity,and therefore, the threshold value may be a positive value. As such, themethod may determine if the signal value is greater than the afferentthreshold value to determine if the electrical activity includesafferent activity. Such determinations of afferent or efferent activitymay be reversed depending on the location of the electrodes, e.g., ifthe second electrode is located closer to the central end. Further, suchdifferentiations between or determinations of efferent/afferentcomponents may used, e.g., in delivering and/or adjusting therapy to apatient.

To recap, the method 200 may determine whether the electrical signalspropagating along the nerve fibers 201 include efferent or afferentcomponents. As such, a nerve signal (e.g., two recordings of the samenerve signal recorded at different locations along the nerve fibers 201)may be inputted and a determination whether the electrical signals areefferent and/or afferent may be outputted.

In other words, the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 212 areoperably coupled to differentiation circuitry 237 (e.g., a portion of anIMD, and which may include an amplifier 220) that is configured toreceive the electrical signals monitored by the first and the secondelectrodes 210, 212. Further, the differentiation circuitry 237 mayinclude circuitry that is configured to determine whether an electricalsignal propagating along the nerve fibers 201 monitored using the firstand second electrodes 210, 212 includes efferent activity (and/orafferent activity). In one or more embodiments, certain modules of anIMD may include the functionality of the differentiation circuitry 237.For example, a control module of an IMD may be configured to compare theelectrical activity monitored by the first electrode to the electricalactivity monitored by the second electrode and determine that theelectrical signal includes efferent activity if the comparison betweenthe electrical activity monitored by the first electrode to theelectrical activity monitored by the second electrode generates awaveform having a particular polarity (e.g., positive or negativedepending on the electrode configuration).

An exemplary method 300 of nerve signal differentiation using a unipolarelectrode configuration is depicted in FIG. 6. The method 300 may beused by itself, or in conjunction with method 200 depicted in FIG. 5 to,e.g., detect neuronal activation when efferent and afferent componentsoccur at the exact same time. The nerve fibers 201 of FIG. 6 may besubstantially similar to the nerve fibers 201 described herein withreference to FIG. 5.

The method 300 includes locating a first electrode 310 and a secondelectrode 312 along the nerve fibers 201 of a patient to capture theelectrical activity propagating along the nerve fibers 201. The firstelectrode 310 is located closer to the central end 202 of the nervefibers 201 than the second electrode 312. Conversely, the secondelectrode 312 is located closer to the peripheral end 204 of the nervefibers 201 than the first electrode 310. The first electrode 310 and thesecond electrode 312 may be located on the same lead or on differentleads and operably coupled to an IMD or components thereof.

The first electrode 310 and second electrode 312 may be operably coupled(e.g., electrically coupled) to a differentiation circuit 320 todifferentiate between efferent and afferent components (e.g., acomponent of an IMD) via connections 311, 313, respectively. Thedifferentiation circuit 320 may include a first amplifier 323 and asecond amplifier 325, each having a first input operably coupled to oneof the electrodes 310, 312 and a second input operably coupled to anelectrical ground 321. The first electrode 310 is electrically coupled(e.g., as an input) to the first amplifier 323, and the second electrode312 is electrically coupled (e.g., as an input) to the second amplifier325. The differentiation circuit 320 may further include filteringcircuitry to filter any undesired electrical activity from theelectrical signals monitored by the first and second electrodes 310,312.

When an electrical signal propagates in either direction along the nervefibers 201, the first amplifier 323 outputs a positive waveform 322 andthe second amplifier 325 outputs a positive waveform 324. The timing ofthe waveforms 322, 324 may be compared 326 e.g., to determine whetherelectrical activity is efferent or afferent, to determine the conductionvelocity, etc., and the electrical signals may be integrated 328 similarto the integration 226 described herein with reference to FIG. 5 (e.g.,the area under the curve for a period of time may be computed togenerate a value).

Next, the method 300 may determine 330 whether the electrical signalthat propagated along the nerve fibers 201 is efferent or afferent basedon the timing comparison 326. For example, if the electrical activitymonitored by the first electrode 310 (e.g. waveform 322) occurred beforethe electrical activity monitored by the second electrode 312 (e.g.,waveform 324), then the monitored electrical activity propagated fromthe central end 202 to the peripheral end 204 of the nerve fibers 201,and therefore, the monitored electrical activity is efferent.Conversely, if the electrical activity monitored by the second electrode312 (e.g., waveform 324) occurred before the electrical activitymonitored by the first electrode 310 (e.g. waveform 322), then themonitored electrical activity propagated from the peripheral end 204 tothe central end 202 of the nerve fibers 201 (in other words, from theright side of the figure to the left side), and therefore, the monitoredelectrical activity is afferent.

In other words, the timing difference of the action potential, ormonitored electrical activity, between these two electrodes may be usedto determine which direction the action potential propagates, e.g., ifthe electrode 310 detects the action potential earlier than electrode312, the propagation occurs from central end to the peripheral end, andsuch propagation is assigned as including efferent components. Viceversa, if the electrode 312 detects the action potential earlier thanelectrode 310, the propagation is from the peripheral end to the centralend, and such propagation is assigned as including afferent components.Often, due to the distance between the two electrodes being close, thevelocity of nerve propagation being quick, and the use of a fastsampling rate, two connective action potentials monitored by theelectrodes may overlap because the refractory period for nerves may beabout 5 milliseconds to about 10 milliseconds.

Further, the unipolar recordings of method 300 may be used to determineaction potential propagation velocity. For example, when the actionpotential propagates from central end 202, electrode 310 will detect theaction potential first, followed by the detection of action potential bythe electrode 312. A timing delay will exist between these twodetections and the velocity of the action potential, or signal, is thendetermined by the time divided by the distance between these twoelectrodes.

Efferent and afferent signals traveling along nerve fibers 201 may alsobe differentiated by using processes (which, e.g., may be used inconjunction with the methods described herein) that take into accountthat fibers with different diameters and/or myelination (e.g., thethickness of the layer of myelin around the fiber) have differentconduction velocities. For example, different classes and sub-classes(A-alpha, A-beta, A-gamma, A-delta, B, and C) of nerve fibers havedifferent diameters and/or different levels of myelination. Further,each of the different types of fibers may conduct nerve signalscorresponding to various functions of one or more physiological systems.As such, the conduction velocities, and thus the diameters, of the nervefibers may be used to distinguish the different types of nerve signalsbeing conducted over the nerve fibers. A-alpha fibers may have adiameter of about 12 to about 20 micrometers and a conduction velocityof about 70 meters per second to about 120 meters per second; A-betafibers may have a diameter of about 5 micrometers to about 12micrometers and a conduction velocity of about 30 meters per second toabout 70 meters per second; A-gamma fibers may have a diameter of about3 micrometers to about 6 micrometers and a conduction velocity of about15 meters per second to about 30 meters per second; A-delta fibers mayhave a diameter of about 2 micrometers to about 5 micrometers and aconduction velocity of about 5 meters per second to about 30 meters persecond; B fibers may have a diameter of about less than 3 micrometersand a conduction velocity of about 3 meters per second to about 15meters per second; and C fibers may have a diameter of about 0.4micrometers to about 1.2 micrometers and a conduction velocity of about0.4 meters per second to about 2 meters per second.

For example, with respect to the vagus nerve, the A-alpha fibers of thevagus nerve may carry both efferent and afferent activity, e.g., relatedto somatic motor functionality and parasympathetic sensoryfunctionality. Further, for example, A-beta fibers of the vagus nervemay carry afferent activity, the A-gamma fibers of the vagus nerve carryefferent activity, and the A-delta fibers of the vagus nerve may carryafferent activity. Still further, for example, the B fibers of the vagusnerve may carry efferent activity, e.g., related to parasympatheticmotor functionality, and the C fibers of the vagus nerve may carry bothefferent and afferent activity, e.g., related to parasympathetic sensoryfunctionality and parasympathetic motor functionality.

In at least one embodiment, it may be expected (e.g., depending on theelectrode locations, signal filtering techniques, etc.) that theefferent activity (e.g., electrical activity of the vagus nervetraveling towards the heart propagates over smaller, less myelinatedfibers and that afferent activity (e.g., electrical activity of thevagus nerve traveling away from the heart) propagates over large,myelinated fibers. As described, smaller, less myelinated fibers conductaction potentials more slowly than large, myelinated fibers. As aresult, efferent activity and afferent activity may be distinguished andidentified using the monitored action potential's conduction velocitybecause efferent activity should travel slower than afferent activity.

In other words, the velocity of an action potential, or monitoredelectrical activity, calculated using the timing between the twoelectrodes 310, 312 may be used to determine which direction the actionpotential propagates, e.g., if the velocity of the action potential isslower than an efferent threshold value or is within a range of efferentvalues, then the propagation is occurring from central end 202 to theperipheral end 204, and such propagation is assigned as includingefferent components. Vice versa, if the velocity of the action potentialis faster than an afferent threshold value or is within a range ofafferent values, then the propagation is occurring from the peripheralend 204 to the central end 202, and such propagation is assigned asincluding afferent components.

The nerve signal differentiation methods 200, 300 may be used in one ormore therapy delivery methods (e.g., for adjustment of the therapy,initialization of the therapy, termination of the therapy, etc.).Further, the nerve signal differentiation methods as well as the othermethods, systems, and devices herein may be used with any nerve signalsof a patient (e.g., respiration nerve signals, muscle activity, etc.)and may be utilized in conjunction with any therapy, e.g., GI therapy(e.g., see FIG. 10), muscle therapy, etc.

For example, the efferent and afferent components of a patient's vagusnerve may be used in cardiac therapy. A flow chart illustrating anexemplary method 400 of nerve signal differentiation and cardiac therapyadjustment based on nerve signals is depicted in FIG. 7. The method 400includes recording cardiac vagal signals 402 (e.g., the electricalactivity of the patient's vagus nerve) with the systems and methodsdescribed herein, e.g., method 200 of FIG. 5.

Concurrently or periodically, the method 400 may determine whether therecorded cardiac vagal signals have crossed a positive signal threshold404, which is similar to process step 228 described herein withreference to FIG. 5 except this system is configured such that positiveelectrical activity indicates efferent activity. The positive signalthreshold may be a selected minimum value indicative of efferentintegration (e.g., the positive signal threshold may be about two toabout three times the baseline electrical activity the monitored nervefibers). For example, if the recorded cardiac vagal signals exceed thepositive signal threshold, then the recorded cardiac vagal signals maybe efferent. In essence, the positive signal threshold may act totrigger further analysis of the presently recorded cardiac vagal signalsfor efferent components. Further, the positive signal threshold may alsoact as a filter, e.g., for filtering out undesired signals (e.g., tooweak signals, signals operating at undesired frequencies, etc.).

If it is determined that the recorded cardiac vagal signals have crosseda positive signal threshold 404, the method 400 may determine that therecorded cardiac vagal signals are efferent 408 similar to the processesof methods 200, 300 described herein with reference to FIGS. 7-8.

The method 400 may further determine whether the efferent components ofthe recorded cardiac signals include parasympathetic activity 410. Forexample, determining whether the efferent components of the recordedcardiac signals include parasympathetic activity 410 may includecorrelating the efferent components to a slowing heart rate, decreasedHRV, prolonged R-R intervals, prolonged P-R intervals, etc. If theefferent components of the recorded cardiac signals are correlated to aslowing heart rate, decreased HRV, prolonged R-R intervals, prolongedP-R intervals, etc., it may be determined that the efferent componentsinclude parasympathetic activity. In the case of monitoring theelectrical activity of the vagus nerve, the method 400 may assume thatall efferent components are parasympathetic activity.

The method 400 may also determine whether the recorded cardiac vagalsignals have crossed a negative signal threshold 406, which is similarto process step 228 described herein with reference to FIG. 5 exceptthis system is configured such that negative electrical activityindicates afferent activity. Further, negative signal threshold step 406may occur concurrently with process step 404 or after process step 404(e.g., if it is determined that the recorded cardiac vagal signals havenot crossed a positive signal threshold 404). The negative signalthreshold may be a selected minimum value indicative of afferentintegration (e.g., the magnitude of the negative signal threshold may beabout two to about three times the baseline electrical activity themonitored nerve fibers). For example, if the recorded cardiac vagalsignals exceed the negative signal threshold (i.e., less than thenegative signal threshold), then the recorded cardiac vagal signals maybe afferent. In essence, the negative signal threshold may act totrigger further analysis of the presently recorded cardiac vagal signalsfor afferent components. Further, the negative signal threshold may alsoact as a filter, e.g., for filtering out undesired signals (e.g., tooweak signals, signals operating at undesired frequencies, etc.).

If it is determined that the recorded cardiac vagal signals have crosseda negative signal threshold 406, the method 400 may determine that therecorded cardiac vagal signals are afferent 412. Afferent components ofthe cardiac vagal signals may be indicative of some cardiac conditions,e.g., such as myocardial ischemia or insult like over-stretch. As such,method 400 may analyze the physiological parameters of the patient todetermine if the patient is undergoing any particular cardiac conditions414 (e.g., ischemia, overload, tissue inflammation, cardiac stretch,cardiac insults, etc.) that, e.g., may be related to the afferentsignals detected. If it is determined that the recorded cardiac vagalsignals have not crossed a negative signal threshold 406, the method 400may return to recording cardiac vagal signals 402.

After determining that the recorded cardiac vagal signals include eitherparasympathetic activity 410 or activity indicative of certain cardiacconditions 414, the method 400 may conduct a comparison of physiologicalparameters 416 including the efferent signals and/or the afferentsignals to determine whether the patient needs cardiac therapy, or inthe case of ongoing cardiac therapy, needs an adjustment to the cardiactherapy. The physiological parameters may include the electricalactivity of a patient's heart, chemical activity of a patient's heart,hemodynamic activity of a patient's heart, and electrical activity ofthe patient's vagus nerve as described herein.

Further, the physiological parameters may be compared to selectedthreshold values 420. For example, each physiological parameter may becompared to a specific selected threshold value that represents a pointat which either cardiac therapy for a patient should be started, or inthe case of ongoing cardiac therapy, the cardiac therapy should beadjusted. If it is determined that cardiac therapy does not need to beadjusted or started based on the comparison to selected thresholdvalues, the method 400 may return to recording cardiac vagal signals402.

If the comparison to selected threshold values determines that cardiactherapy needs be adjust or started, the method 400 may adjust (or start)the cardiac therapy 422. The cardiac therapy may include the delivery ofvagal stimulation (e.g., electrical stimulation to a patient's vagusnerve), electrical stimulation for pacing the patient's heart 12 (e.g.,bradycardia pacing, cardiac resynchronization therapy, anti-tachycardiapacing (ATP), high-energy shock pulses for cardioversion/defibrillationtherapy, and/or other pacing therapies), etc.

For example, the patient's R-R intervals may be compared to selectedthreshold values indicative of healthy cardiac function and/or cardiacconditions. If it is determined that the patient's R-R intervals areindicative of unhealthy cardiac function and/or treatable cardiacconditions, then the cardiac therapy may need to be adjusted.

As described herein, cardiac therapy may be initiated and/or adjustedbased on nerve signal recordings (e.g., the parasympathetic component ofa nerve signal). An exemplary method 600 of initiating cardiac therapybased on nerve signals is depicted in FIG. 8. The method 600 may includedata collection 602 (e.g., nerve recording and other cardiacparameters). Data collection 602 may include monitoring one or morephysiological parameters of a patient, e.g., as described herein withreference to the IMD 10 of FIG. 1. Specifically, however, the datacollection 602 includes monitoring nerve signals (e.g., of the vagusnerve). Although not shown, the method 600 may include the processesdescribed herein, e.g., with reference to FIGS. 5-6, for identifying,processing, and/or filtering the efferent (or afferent) activity fromthe electrical activity of the nerve tissue (e.g., the vagus nerve).

Periodically or concurrently with the data collection 602, the method600 includes determining whether the efferent activity of the electricalactivity of the patient's vagus nerve is reduced 604. Determiningwhether the efferent activity of the electrical activity of thepatient's vagus nerve is reduced 604 may be conducted using variousprocesses. For example, the method may compare various parameters of theefferent activity to a selected value. Such parameters may includevoltage, amplitude, frequency, pulses per heart beat, pulses per second,sum of integration, signal energy power of spectral analysis, timing ofsignals, and/or trend of nerve activity. The selected value may be athreshold representing the minimum or the maximum value ofparasympathetic activity required for healthy cardiac function. In otherwords, if the patient's parasympathetic activity falls below a minimumselected value or exceeds a maximum selected value, it may be indicativeof abnormal automatic nervous activities, unhealthy cardiac function,future cardiac conditions, and/or other organ problems. For example, themethod may compare the pulses per second of the monitored efferentactivity to a threshold value of about 3 pulses per second (e.g., thethreshold value may be about 2 pulses per second to about 5 pulses persecond depending on the patient, the physical activity of the patient,etc.). If the monitored efferent activity drops below 3 pulses persecond, the method may determine that the efferent activity of thepatient is reduced.

Further, for example, the method 600 may compare various parameters ofthe efferent activity presently being monitored or recorded to suchparameters of efferent activity that have been previously recorded. Suchparameters may include voltage, amplitude, frequency, pulses per heartbeat, pulses per second, sum of integration, signal energy power usingspectral analysis, timing of signals, and/or trend of nerve activity. Inother words, the previously-monitored efferent activity may provide abaseline to which the presently-monitored efferent activity may becompared. If the presently-monitored efferent activity is less than thepreviously-monitored efferent activity (e.g., the previously-monitoredefferent activity may have been analyzed and/or monitored previously),the presently-monitored efferent activity may be determined to bereduced, which therefore, may be indicative of abnormal automaticnervous activities, unhealthy cardiac function, risk of heart attack,future cardiac conditions, abnormal automatic activities to other organslike the GI system or somatic nerves to muscles.

Still further, for example, the method 600 may further identify,process, and/or filter the afferent activity/sympathetic activity fromthe electrical activity of the nerve tissue (e.g., the vagus nerve) andcompare the efferent activity (and/or parasympathetic activity) of theelectrical activity of the patient's vagus nerve to the afferentactivity (and/or sympathetic activity) of the electrical activity of thepatient's vagus nerve to determine if the efferent activity is reduced.Such comparison between efferent activity and afferent activity maycompare various parameters (e.g., pulses per second), and further maynot be a 1:1 comparison (e.g., each parameter may be multiplied, ortransformed, for easier comparison).

In at least one embodiment, the amplitude (e.g., average amplitude overa selected time period) of a selected frequency range of the monitoredefferent activity may be used to determine whether the efferent activityis reduced. For example, the method 600 may analyze the monitoredefferent activity within the frequency spectrum to evaluate theamplitude in a selected frequency range (e.g., about 0.15 hertz to about0.4 hertz, or high frequency (HF) band that, e.g., may be driven byrespiration and may be derived mainly from vagal activity of theparasympathetic nervous system or about 0.04 hertz to about 0.15 hertz,or low frequency (LF) band that, e.g., may be derived from bothparasympathetic and sympathetic activity and may reflect the delay inthe baroreceptor loop), which is considered to purely reflect vagalactivity. Further, the average amplitude of the selected frequency rangeof the presently-monitored efferent activity may be compared to aselected value or to the average amplitude of the selected frequencyrange of previously-monitored efferent activity to determine whether theefferent activity of the electrical activity of the at least one nervefiber is reduced.

In at least another embodiment, the power spectrum of the selectedfrequency range of the monitored efferent activity may be used todetermine whether the efferent activity is reduced. For example, themethod 600 may calculate the power (e.g., average area under the curveover time) of the monitored efferent activity in the selected frequencyrange. Further, the average power of the selected frequency range of thepresently-monitored efferent activity may be compared to a selectedvalue or to the average power of the selected frequency range ofpreviously-monitored efferent activity to determine whether the efferentactivity of the electrical activity of the at least one nerve fiber isreduced.

Further, a relation may exist between the power spectra of the monitorednerve signals (e.g., of a selected frequency range (e.g., about 0.15hertz to about 0.4 hertz) and the patient's HRV. Using such a relationor transfer function (e.g., which may be predetermined (e.g., using datafrom a plurality of patients), created using data from the presentpatient, etc.), a patient's nerve signals or the status thereof (e.g.,the power spectra of the nerve signals) may be calculated using themonitored HRV of the patient. In other words, a function may be provided(e.g., predetermined, calculated for a specific patient, etc.) relatingthe status of the patient's vagus nerve to the electrical activity ofthe patient's heart (e.g., the HRV of the electrical activity of thepatient's heart) for use in therapy, assessing a status of the patient'svagus nerve using the monitored electrical activity of the patient'sheart using the function, and initiating or adjusting cardiac therapy tothe patient based on the assessed status of the patient's vagus nerve.

Further, in at least one embodiment, a comparison between efferentactivity in general, average activity within a certain phase of thecardiac cycle, or efferent activity within a certain frequency band(e.g., HF or LF) may provide information about the intactness of thenerves innervating the heart. This could be indicative of nervedeterioration in certain cases, e.g., diabetes or cardiac infarct.

If it has been determined that there has not been a reduction in theparasympathetic component 604, then the method 600 may return to datacollection 602. If it has been determined that there has been areduction in the parasympathetic component 604, then the method 600 mayinitiate the delivery of cardiac therapy 606. Such therapy may includedelivering vagal stimulation (e.g., electrical stimulation to apatient's vagus nerve), electrical stimulation for pacing the patient'sheart 12 (e.g., bradycardia pacing, cardiac resynchronization therapy,ATP, and/or other pacing therapies), and/or other types of therapy likeneuromodulation (e.g., spinal cord stimulation), etc. Further, in atleast one embodiment, an IMD may be capable of delivering high-energyshock pulses for cardioversion/defibrillation therapy delivered inresponse to, e.g., tachycardia detections.

Further, the cardiac therapy may be delivered during or after themonitored nerve signals. For example, if the method is delivering vagalstimulation, the vagal stimulation may be delivered after a monitoredburst of efferent and/or parasympathetic activity (e.g., vagal burstdischarges) in order to, e.g., expand vagal excitation and effect. Thecardiac therapy may start before the burst of nerve activity ceases ormay start after the nerve activity ceases. For example, the method maydeliver vagal stimulation for a selected period of time after a burst ofefferent activity ceases.

After or during the delivery of cardiac stimulation 606, the method 600may determine whether the patient's cardiac condition is suitable forcardiac stimulation 608. Determining whether the patient's cardiaccondition is suitable for cardiac stimulation 608 may utilize themonitored physiological parameters (e.g., the electrical activity,chemical activity, hemodynamic information, and/or nerve activity of thepatient's heart).

If it is determined that the patient's cardiac condition is not suitablefor cardiac stimulation, the method 600 may return to data collection602. For example, determining whether the patient's cardiac condition issuitable for cardiac stimulation 608 may include analyzing the monitoredphysiological parameters for termination criteria. Analyzing suchmonitored physiological parameters may include determining whether theelectrical activity of the patient's heart indicates a ventriculararrhythmia, determining whether the R-R intervals have not increased,and determining whether the P-R intervals have not increased. The methodmay then terminate the delivery of electrical stimulation to the vagusnerve if either the electrical activity of the patient's heart indicatesa ventricular arrhythmia, the R-R intervals have not increased, or theP-R intervals have not increased. Further, for example, the method mayinclude determining whether the patient's cardiac condition is worseningafter the delivery of electrical stimulation to the patient's vagusnerve and terminating the delivery of electrical stimulation to thepatient's vagus nerve if the patient's cardiac condition is worsening.

More details of methods of and devices for use in treating patients(e.g., using vagal stimulation) are described, e.g., in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/770,195 entitled “VAGAL STIMULATION” to Ziegleret al., U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/770,161, entitled“TERMINATION CRITERIA FOR VAGAL STIMULATION” to Kornet et al., U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/770,090 entitled “VAGAL STIMULATION FORARRHYTHMIA PREVENTION” to Zhou et al., U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/770,143 entitled “REGULATION OF PRELOAD” to Cornelussen et al., U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/770,121 entitled “VAGAL STIMULATION FORTREATING MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION” to Zhou et al., U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/770,227 entitled “NERVE SIGNAL DIFFERENTIATION” to Zhou etal., and U.S. Provisional Pat. App. No. 61/329,374 entitled “THERAPYUSING PERTURBATION AND EFFECT OF PHYSIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS” to John Burneset al., each of which were filed on the same date as the presentapplication and are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

If it is determined that the patient's cardiac condition is suitable forcardiac stimulation, the method 600 may determine whether a stimulationclock (e.g., a timer that was started when the cardiac stimulationstarted) has expired 610. If the stimulation clock 610 has expired, themethod 600 may return to data collection 602. If the stimulation clockhas not expired, the method 600 may return to delivering cardiacstimulation 606. In at least one embodiment, the stimulation clock runsfor about, e.g., 30 or 45 seconds. In other words, the method mayterminate the delivery of electrical stimulation to the patient's vagusnerve after a selected time period has elapsed after the initiation ofthe delivery of electrical stimulation.

A flow chart illustrating an exemplary method 700 of adjusting cardiactherapy based on nerve signals is depicted in FIG. 9. The method 700includes delivering cardiac therapy 702, e.g., vagal stimulation,cardiac resynchronization therapy, and/or spinal cord stimulation. Thedelivering of cardiac therapy 702 may be substantially similar to thedelivery of cardiac therapy 606 described herein with reference to FIG.8.

Periodically or concurrently with the delivery of cardiac therapy 702,the method 700 may record, or monitor, intracardiac nerve signals 704(e.g., of the vagus nerve). Although not shown, the method 600 mayinclude the processes described herein, e.g., with reference to FIGS.5-6, for identifying, processing, and/or filtering efferent and/orafferent activity from the electrical activity of the nerve tissue(e.g., the vagus nerve).

Using the monitored nerve signals, the method 700 may determine whetherthe parasympathetic activity of the nerve signals has been met 706. Inother words, the method 700 may include analyzing the monitoredphysiological parameters 706 after delivering cardiac therapy 702. Suchanalyzing monitored physiological parameters may include determiningwhether the efferent activity of the electrical activity of thepatient's vagus nerve is reduced. The processes in method 700 fordetermining whether the efferent activity of the electrical activity ofthe patient's vagus nerve is reduced may be similar to the processesdescribed in method 600 of FIG. 8.

If the parasympathetic activity of the nerve signals has been met, thenthe method 700 may return to delivering cardiac therapy 702. If theparasympathetic activity of the nerve signals has not been met, then themethod 700 may adjust the cardiac therapy 708. In other words, themethod 700 may adjust the cardiac therapy if the efferent activity ofthe electrical activity of the patient's vagus nerve is reduced.Adjusting the cardiac therapy 708 may include adjusting the voltage,amplitude, number of pulses per burst, burst frequency, pulse frequency,and pulse width of pacing or burst pacing therapy. Further, adjustingthe cardiac therapy 708 may include triggering other neuromodulationtherapy (e.g., spinal cord stimulation), drug pumps, or alerts to apatient to take medicine or rest (e.g., via telemetry). In at least oneembodiment, adjusting the cardiac therapy may include determining if thevagal efferent components (e.g., sympathetic) are too high anddelivering high frequency electrical pulses to the corresponding nervethrough the same recording electrodes or different electrodes to blocknerve conduction to, e.g., reduce the over-excited nerve activities.

If the cardiac therapy includes vagal stimulation, the parameters ofsuch vagal simulation may be adjusted within certain ranges. Suchparameters may include time (e.g., the vagal stimulation may bedelivered for a selected time period), voltage (e.g., within a range ofabout 1 volt and about 8 volts), frequency of the pulses within a burstof pulses (e.g., within a range of about 1 hertz to about 150 hertz),frequency of the bursts (e.g., within a range of about 5 hertz to about100 hertz), synchronization (e.g., with different portions of theelectrical activity of the patient's heart), pulse width of each pulse(e.g., within a range of about 0.1 milliseconds to about 1milliseconds), and number of pulses per burst (e.g., within a range ofabout 3 pulses to about 20 pulses), etc.

After the cardiac therapy has been adjusted, the method 700 maydetermine whether the patient has a stable cardiac condition 710, e.g.,using electrical activity, chemical activity, and/or hemodynamicactivity of the patient's heart. Determining whether the patient hasstable cardiac condition 710 may be substantially similar to determiningwhether the patient's cardiac condition is suitable for cardiacstimulation 608 as described herein with reference to FIG. 8.

If it is determined that the patient has a stable cardiac condition, themethod 700 may return to delivering cardiac therapy 702. If it isdetermined that the patient does not have stable cardiac condition, themethod 700 may readjust the cardiac therapy 712, which may besubstantially similar to adjusting cardiac therapy 708. After thecardiac therapy has been readjusted 712, the method 700 may againdetermine whether the patient has a stable cardiac condition 710.

Although methods 600, 700 are focused on cardiac therapy based on nerveactivity, such methods are not limited to the delivery of cardiactherapy and may be used to treat other various conditions. For example,such methods may be used to treat and monitor organ functions in, e.g.,the GI system, the bladder, various muscles, glands (e.g., for releasinghormones), etc.

One example where nerve recording and/or stimulation may be useful canbe found in the GI system. The splanchnic nerves are paired nerves thatcontribute to the innervation of the viscera and carry fibers of theautonomic nervous system (efferent fibers) as well as sensory fibersfrom the organs (afferent fibers). One function of the splanchnic nervesis to regulate intestinal function. During proper functional digestion,sensors are stimulated in the intestine when food is moved into theintestine thereby triggering secretion of digestive enzymes and slowingcontraction of intestinal muscles. As such, the sensing and stimulationof splanchnic nerves may help to regulate intestinal digestion.

Another function of the splanchnic nerves is to regulate bowelmovements. When urine accumulates in bladder, sensors in bladder arestimulated by stretching and signals are propagated from such sensor tothe spine and brain. Subsequently, efferent activity propagates from thebrain to the bladder to trigger urination. If such efferent activitydoes not occur, the patient may not be able to urinate properly. Assuch, the sensing and stimulation of splanchnic nerves may help toregulate urination or other bowel movements.

In at least another embodiment, in the GI system, if the parasympatheticcomponents of the autonomic nerves are too low, the GI system may, asdescribed herein, not function appropriately, thus electricalstimulation of certain nerves (e.g., splanchnic nerves) may be triggeredto increase parasympathetic tone for digestion and improve GI function.An example of a method of using nerve signals to deliver therapy totreat the GI system is described herein with reference to FIG. 10.

A flow chart illustrating an exemplary method 800 of delivering andadjusting GI therapy based on nerve signals is depicted in FIG. 10. Themethod 800 includes data collection 802, which may include monitoringone or more physiological parameters of a patient, e.g., as describedherein with reference to the IMD 10 of FIG. 1. Specifically, however,the data collection 802 includes monitoring nerve signals of thesplanchnic nerves. The method 800 may further include the processesdescribed herein, e.g., with reference to FIGS. 5-6, for differentiatingthe efferent activity from the afferent activity within the electricalactivity of the nerve tissue (e.g., the splanchnic nerves) 804.

Periodically or concurrently with the data collection 802 andafferent/efferent differentiation 804, the method 800 includesdetermining whether the afferent activity of the electrical activity ofthe patient's splanchnic nerves crosses a threshold 806. Determiningwhether the afferent activity of the electrical activity of thepatient's splanchnic nerves crosses a threshold value 806 may beconducted using various processes. For example, the method 800 maycompare various parameters of the afferent activity to a selectedthreshold value. Such parameters may include voltage, amplitude,frequency, pulses per second, sum of integration, signal energy power ofspectral analysis, timing of signals, and/or trend of nerve activity.The selected threshold value may be a threshold representing the minimumvalue of afferent activity required to indicate that food is located inthe intestine. In other words, if the patient's afferent activity isabove the selected threshold value, food may be present in theintestine, and conversely, if the patient's afferent activity is belowthe selected value, no food may be present in the intestine.

If the afferent activity of the splanchnic nerves crosses the thresholdvalue, then the method 800 may determine if the efferent activity of thesplanchnic nerves crosses another threshold value 808. Such thresholddetermination may be similar to process step 806 for afferent activitybut the threshold value 808 may be indicative of the minimum valuerequired for proper digestive function in response to food being locatedin the intestine. If the patient's efferent activity is above theselected threshold value, then the body is responding effectively (e.g.,delivering nerve signals to triggering secretion of digestive enzymesand slowing contraction of intestinal muscles) and the method 600 mayreturn to data collection 802. Conversely, if the patient's efferentactivity is below the selected value, then the method 800 may deliver GItherapy 810, e.g., electrical stimulation of the splanchnic nerve, whichmay be similar to the nerve stimulation 606 described herein withreference to FIG. 8.

After the GI therapy 810, the method 800 may assess the functionality ofthe patient's GI system 812. Assessing the functionality of thepatient's GI system 812 may include analyzing the monitored one or morephysiological parameters, e.g., analyzing the electrical activity(efferent and/or afferent activity) of the splanchnic nerves. Forexample, if the efferent activity of the splanchnic nerves is stillbelow the selected threshold value as utilized in process step 808, thenit may be determined that the GI therapy (e.g., splanchnic nervestimulation) may need to be adjusted.

Adjusting the splanchnic nerve stimulation 814 may include adjusting thevoltage, amplitude, number of pulses per burst, burst frequency, pulsefrequency, and pulse width of pacing or burst pacing therapy, etc. Forexample, if it is determined that the efferent activity of the patient'ssplanchnic nerves is still too low, the method may supplement theefferent activity by delivering stimulation to the splanchnic nerves fora selected period of time after the efferent activity has ceased.

The method 800 may further determine whether a stimulation clock (e.g.,a timer that was started when the GI therapy started) has expired 816.If the stimulation clock 816 has expired, the method 800 may return todata collection 802. If the stimulation clock has not expired, themethod 800 may return to delivering GI therapy 810. In at least oneembodiment, the stimulation clock runs for about, e.g., 30 or 45seconds. In other words, the method may terminate the delivery of GItherapy after a selected time period has elapsed after the initiation ofthe delivery of GI therapy.

One example of a medical device that may be used in carrying out themethods described herein for providing treatment is depicted in FIG. 1as a schematic diagram of an implantable medical device (IMD).

The IMD 10 may be configured to monitor one or more physiologicalparameters of a patient (e.g., electrical activity of a patient's heart,chemical activity of a patient's heart, hemodynamic activity of apatient's heart, and electrical activity of the patient nerves).Although the IMD 10 has shown is configured to monitor the patient'sheart, IMD 10 or similar devices may used for monitoring and deliveringtherapy to any organs or parts of a patient. In this example, themonitored physiological parameters, in turn, may be used by the IMD todetect various cardiac conditions, e.g., ventricular tachycardia (VT),ventricular fibrillation (VF), supraventricular ventricular tachycardia(SVT), atrial fibrillation (AF), atrial tachycardia (AT),ischemia/infarction, heart failure, etc., and to treat such cardiacconditions with therapy. Such therapy may include delivering vagalstimulation (e.g., electrical stimulation to a patient's vagus nerve),electrical stimulation for pacing the patient's heart 12 (e.g.,bradycardia pacing, cardiac resynchronization therapy, ATP, and/or otherpacing therapies), etc. Further, in at least one embodiment, the IMD 10may be capable of delivering high-energy shock pulses forcardioversion/defibrillation therapy delivered in response to, e.g.,tachycardia detections.

As used herein, “stimulation of the vagus nerve,” also referred toherein simply as “vagal stimulation,” refers to stimulation of neuraltissue innervating the myocardium, directly or indirectly, e.g.,stimulation of one or more of the vagus nerve or its branches (e.g.,including the afferent and/or efferent fibers), the sinoatrial (SA)nodal fatty pad, the atrioventricular (AV) nodal fatty pad and along thegreat vein, the cervical vagus nerve (e.g., the right or left side), thefat pad located between the medial superior vena cava and aortic root(SVC-Ao fat pad), the fat pad superior to the right pulmonary artery,the fat pad at the IVC-left atrial junction (IVC-LA fat pad), the fatpad proximate the right pulmonary vein-atrial junction (RPV fat pad),the spinal cord (e.g., vertebral levels T1-T12, C1-C8, etc. such asdescribed in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2002/0107552 A1 to Hill et al.,which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety), andadditional intracardiac locations near the SA node, AV node, coronarysinus, and base of right ventricle.

One or more other embodiments of the present disclosure relates tosensing and stimulating a phrenic nerve of a heart failure patient withsleep apnea. In one or more embodiments, the LV lead 16 is placed in,around or near the phrenic nerve 500 that runs behind the leftventricle, as shown in FIG. 11. The phrenic nerve 500 descends obliquelywith the internal jugular vein (IJV) across the anterior scalene, deepto the prevertebral layer of deep cervical fascia and the transversecervical and suprascapular arteries. Found in the middle mediastinum,both the left and right phrenic nerves run from C3, C4 and C5 along theanterior scalene muscle deep to the carotid sheath. The right phrenicnerve passes over the brachiocephalic artery, posterior to thesubclavian vein, and then crosses the root of the right lung anteriorlyand then leaves the thorax by passing through the vena cava hiatusopening in the diaphragm at the level of T8. The right phrenic nervepasses over the right atrium. The left phrenic nerve passes over thepericardium of the left ventricle and pierces the diaphragm separately.The LV lead 16 can be placed around or near the left phrenic nerve. Forexample, the LV lead 16 can be placed within a few millimeters (mm)(e.g. about 5 mm or less than 5 mm) of the left phrenic nerve 500.

After the LV lead has been properly placed, the therapy system or IMD 10can monitor physiological conditions such as electrical activities fromthe phrenic nerve. By monitoring phrenic nerve activities anddistinguishing the afferent/efferent nerve activities, as previouslydescribed, the IMD 10 can determine when and what electrical stimulationparameters to use during electrical stimulation to the phrenic nerve.For example, efferent components of phrenic nerve activity should have acertain burst frequency (e.g. 5 to 10 nerve discharges per burst, 12-16bursts per minute) and magnitude (5-20 microvolts). When efferentcomponents are weak (e.g. nerve discharge per second is 5 Hertz),especially in conjunction with too slow respiration (e.g. less thanabout 10 respirations per minute) and/or weak respiratory volume (e.g.about 500-800 milliliters per respiration cycle) relative to diaphragm502, IMD 10 then initiates or delivers electrical stimulation to thephrenic nerve 500 with a defined amplitude (e.g. 1-8 volts) andfrequency (e.g. 10-20 Hertz per burst, 12 to 14 burst rate per minute,etc.), to modulate respiration rate and volume.

Alternatively, IMD 10 can detect a pattern of phrenic nerve 500activities to determine whether there is sleep apnea characterized byirregularity in respiration rhythm and magnitude. Once detected, IMD 10can deliver electrical stimulation to the phrenic nerve 500 via the LVlead 16 to correct sleep apnea, especially when the sleep apnea patternis detected in conjunction with the occurrence of heart failuredecompensation, the latter can be detected via Medtronic Optivol orpressure monitoring. IMD 10 then checks to verify that, for example,respiration rate has returned to a normal rate (e.g. 12-14 respirationper minute) or a normal rate for that specific patient. A patient withheart failure may not be able to achieve a normal respiration rate;however, as long as the patient's respiration rate is substantiallyimproved (e.g. +/−a few respiration cycles from the previous state)through electrical stimulation, the IMD 10 may be deemed to achieved adesired result.

Skilled artisans appreciate that ranges provided herein for phrenicnerve stimulation are designated for adults and the ranges may beadjusted for other conditions (e.g. age of the patient or otherfactors). Additionally, it is appreciated that the LV lead 16 may beplaced near both the phrenic nerve and the vagus nerve.

The methods described herein are intended to illustrate the generalfunctional operation of the devices and/or systems described herein, andshould not be construed as reflective of a specific form of software orhardware necessary to practice one or more of the methods describedherein. It is believed that the particular form of software will bedetermined primarily by the particular system architecture employed in adevice (e.g., an implantable medical device) and/or system and by theparticular detection and therapy delivery methodologies employed by thedevice and/or system. Providing software to accomplish the describedmethods in the context of any modern implantable medical device, giventhe disclosure herein, is within the abilities of one of skill in theart.

Further, methods described in conjunction with flow charts presentedherein may be implemented in a computer-readable medium that includescomputer instructions or software for causing a programmable processorto carry out the methods described. Computer instructions are typicallystored in a “computer-readable medium” such as random access memory(RAM). “Computer-readable medium” includes but is not limited to anyvolatile or non-volatile media, such as a RAM, read only memory (ROM),non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), electrically erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory(CD-ROM)), flash memory, and the like. The instructions may beimplemented as one or more software modules, which may be executed bythemselves or in combination with other software.

The hardware used to the accomplish the described methods, may includeany one or more of a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), acontroller, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), or equivalent discrete or integratedlogic circuitry. In one or more exemplary embodiments, the processor mayinclude multiple components, such as any combination of one or moremicroprocessors, one or more controllers, one or more DSPs, one or moreASICs, or one or more FPGAs, as well as other discrete or integratedlogic circuitry. The functions and processes described herein may beembodied as software, firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof. Asused herein, the term “circuitry” may be implemented in software asexecuted by one or more processes, firmware, hardware, or anycombination thereof.

All patents, patent documents, and references cited herein areincorporated in their entirety as if each were incorporated separately.This disclosure has been provided with reference to illustrativeembodiments and is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Asdescribed previously, one skilled in the art will recognize that othervarious illustrative applications may use the techniques as describedherein to take advantage of the beneficial characteristics of theapparatus and methods described herein. Various modifications of theillustrative embodiments, as well as additional embodiments of thedisclosure, will be apparent upon reference to this description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of delivering therapy, wherein themethod comprises: monitoring physiological parameters of a patient,wherein the physiological parameters comprise electrical activity of thepatient's vagus nerve; determining whether the monitored electricalactivity of the patient's vagus nerve comprises efferent activity;analyzing the monitored physiological parameters, wherein analyzing themonitored physiological parameters comprises determining whether theefferent activity of the electrical activity of the patient's vagusnerve is reduced over time; and initiating or adjusting non-nervestimulating cardiac therapy if the efferent activity of the electricalactivity of the patient's vagus nerve is reduced, wherein the non-nervestimulating cardiac therapy comprises at least one of pacing therapy,cardiac resynchronization therapy, anti-tachycardia pacing, high-energyshock pulses for cardioversion/defibrillation therapy, bradycardiapacing, and drug therapy, wherein the method further comprisesdetermining whether the monitored electrical activity of the patient'svagus nerve comprises afferent activity, and wherein determining whetherthe efferent activity of the electrical activity of the patient's vagusnerve is reduced comprises comparing the efferent activity to theafferent activity.
 2. A method of delivering therapy, wherein the methodcomprises: monitoring physiological parameters of a patient, wherein thephysiological parameters comprise electrical activity of the patient'svagus nerve; determining whether the monitored electrical activity ofthe patient's vagus nerve comprises efferent activity; analyzing themonitored physiological parameters, wherein analyzing the monitoredphysiological parameters comprises determining whether the efferentactivity of the electrical activity of the patient's vagus nerve isreduced over time; and initiating or adjusting non-nerve stimulatingcardiac therapy if the efferent activity of the electrical activity ofthe patient's vagus nerve is reduced, wherein the non-nerve stimulatingcardiac therapy comprises at least one of pacing therapy, cardiacresynchronization therapy, anti-tachycardia pacing, high-energy shockpulses for cardioversion/defibrillation therapy, bradycardia pacing, anddrug therapy, wherein determining whether the efferent activity of theelectrical activity of the patient's vagus nerve is reduced comprisescomparing the average amplitude of a selected frequency range of theefferent activity to a selected value.
 3. A method of deliveringtherapy, wherein the method comprises: monitoring physiologicalparameters of a patient, wherein the physiological parameters compriseelectrical activity of the patient's vagus nerve; determining whetherthe monitored electrical activity of the patient's vagus nerve comprisesefferent activity; analyzing the monitored physiological parameters,wherein analyzing the monitored physiological parameters comprisesdetermining whether the efferent activity of the electrical activity ofthe patient's vagus nerve is reduced over time; and initiating oradjusting non-nerve stimulating cardiac therapy if the efferent activityof the electrical activity of the patient's vagus nerve is reduced,wherein the non-nerve stimulating cardiac therapy comprises at least oneof pacing therapy, cardiac resynchronization therapy, anti-tachycardiapacing, high-energy shock pulses for cardioversion/defibrillationtherapy, bradycardia pacing, and drug therapy, wherein determiningwhether the efferent activity of the electrical activity of thepatient's vagus nerve is reduced comprises comparing the averageamplitude of a selected frequency range of the presently-monitoredefferent activity to the average amplitude of the selected frequencyrange of previously-monitored efferent activity.
 4. A method ofdelivering therapy, wherein the method comprises: monitoringphysiological parameters of a patient, wherein the physiologicalparameters comprise electrical activity of the patient's vagus nerve;determining whether the monitored electrical activity of the patient'svagus nerve comprises efferent activity; analyzing the monitoredphysiological parameters, wherein analyzing the monitored physiologicalparameters comprises determining whether the efferent activity of theelectrical activity of the patient's vagus nerve is reduced over time;and initiating or adjusting non-nerve stimulating cardiac therapy if theefferent activity of the electrical activity of the patient's vagusnerve is reduced, wherein the non-nerve stimulating cardiac therapycomprises at least one of pacing therapy, cardiac resynchronizationtherapy, anti-tachycardia pacing, high-energy shock pulses forcardioversion/defibrillation therapy, bradycardia pacing, and drugtherapy, wherein determining whether the efferent activity of theelectrical activity of the patient's vagus nerve is reduced comprisescomparing the average power of a selected frequency range of theefferent activity to a selected value.
 5. A method of deliveringtherapy, wherein the method comprises: monitoring physiologicalparameters of a patient, wherein the physiological parameters compriseelectrical activity of the patient's vagus nerve; determining whetherthe monitored electrical activity of the patient's vagus nerve comprisesefferent activity; analyzing the monitored physiological parameters,wherein analyzing the monitored physiological parameters comprisesdetermining whether the efferent activity of the electrical activity ofthe patient's vagus nerve is reduced over time; and initiating oradjusting non-nerve stimulating cardiac therapy if the efferent activityof the electrical activity of the patient's vagus nerve is reduced,wherein the non-nerve stimulating cardiac therapy comprises at least oneof pacing therapy, cardiac resynchronization therapy, anti-tachycardiapacing, high-energy shock pulses for cardioversion/defibrillationtherapy, bradycardia pacing, and drug therapy, wherein determiningwhether the efferent activity of the electrical activity of thepatient's vagus nerve is reduced comprises comparing the average powerof a selected frequency range of the presently-monitored efferentactivity to the average power of the selected frequency range ofpreviously-monitored efferent activity.
 6. The method of any of claims 1to 5, wherein determining whether the efferent activity of theelectrical activity of the patient's vagus nerve is reduced comprisescomparing the pulses per second of the efferent activity to a selectedvalue.
 7. The method of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein determiningwhether the efferent activity of the electrical activity of thepatient's vagus nerve is reduced comprises comparing the pulses persecond of presently-monitored efferent activity to the pulses per secondof previously-monitored efferent activity.
 8. The method of any ofclaims 1 to 5, wherein the physiological parameters further compriseelectrical activity of the patient's heart, and wherein the methodfurther comprises: providing a function relating the status of thepatient's vagus nerve to the electrical activity of the patient's heartfor use in therapy, assessing a status of the patient's vagus nerveusing the monitored electrical activity of the patient's heart using thefunction, and initiating or adjusting cardiac therapy to the patientbased on the assessed status of the patient's vagus nerve.
 9. The methodof any of claims 1 to 5, wherein determining whether the monitoredelectrical activity of the patient's vagus nerve comprises efferentactivity comprises differentiating between efferent activity andafferent activity of the monitored electrical activity based on adirection of the monitored electrical activity, wherein the direction ofthe monitored electrical activity is determined based on at least one ofpolarity, timing, and velocity of the monitored electrical activity.